Falling in Reverse

Best Albums of 2024


As with my previous post for best songs/singles of 2024, please remember that I am not a professional music reviewer. I do not have the time or ability to listen to every new album that comes out. So yes, these are really just my personal opinion on the things I managed to check out this past year- but that’s all these kind of lists ever really are anyway, right? Ok, enough babbling- enjoy!

  • As Above So Below by Highly Suspect: I think I have to put this one as number one for a couple of reasons. First, I had never gotten into this band before at all. I’d heard of them but knew absolutely nothing about them. So falling in love with this record was totally unexpected. Everything changed when Summertime Voodoo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP8irm3M9Xc&ab_channel=HighlySuspect) debuted in June. All of a sudden I couldn’t ignore this band any longer. The guitars, Johnny’s soulful voice, just everything about this song felt so right to me. It didn’t take long for me to fall under the spell of Blue Eyed Devil (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e4vAn-lu8E&ab_channel=HighlySuspect) for the same reasons. After that, I just knew I had to check out the full album. Another reason this one comes as number one for me is because it is truly an album experience. You cannot just listen to one or two songs here & there. You really have to listen to the whole thing, from top to bottom, to experience it the way it’s meant to be experienced. Yes, I know some folks have said the lyrics here leave a lot to be desired, & that’s probably a fair criticism. However, Johnny has been open about writing all the music first & then later writing all the lyrics in a very short space of time. Basically, he used this album as therapy to deal with some very serious issues in his life, & that is exactly why the album feels so incredibly personal. He is literally baring his soul. So yes, it’s messy & complicated at times. But above all else it is DEEPLY EMOTIVE & that is what keeps bringing me back to this album over & over again, even as someone who is not normally a huge blues rock fan (not opposed to it of course, just more of a metalcore chick). The screams in Run For Your Life (More Pills) give me chills every time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDLBzMw3UO8&ab_channel=HighlySuspect). I was not expecting that the first time I heard it & it was the most glorious surprise. But again, to fully appreciate it, you need to listen to the full album in order. I could go on & on, but I’ll end this by saying that I cannot wait to see Highly Suspect live for the first time in just a few weeks (they’ll be my first show of 2025).
  • Greetings From Suffocate City by The Funeral Portrait: I fell in love with this band the minute I heard Dark Thoughts (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8DP5vhiDTk&ab_channel=BetterNoiseMusic) on Octane in 2023. In fact it was my song of the year that year. I confess I prefer the original version over the one featuring Danny Warsnop that is on this album, but both are fantastic. If you’re not familiar with this band, think a soulful singer, a la Brent Smith of Shine Down, but with the aesthetic of My Chemical Romance. Might sound crazy but trust me, it 100% WORKS. I cannot wait to see them live for the first time next month. But back to the album. Be sure to check out Voodoo Doll (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Esy7QoIzZ5s&ab_channel=BetterNoiseMusic). The version on this album features Amanda from Eva Under Fire. The song is about drug abuse & how it impacts the loved one of those who fall under its spell. This is especially poignant since Amanda lost her dad to the opioid epidemic, & her mom was also an addict but thankfully has recovered. Having her feature on the track makes it even more powerful. I didn’t think I could love anything more than Dark Thoughts but Stay Weird (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4LiERdg3ok&ab_channel=BetterNoiseMusic) might be my new favorite. With lyrics like “Perfect isn’t perfect to me/I’d rather go down with the freaks/Than feast with the kings/Stay weird/Don’t ever fake it/Don’t let them take out your heart/Stay weird/So what, they hate you/Their world can’t contain who you are,” this is exactly the kind of song I wish I’d had 20-25 years ago.
  • Popular Monster by Falling in Reverse: Yeah, yeah, I know Ronnie Radke is a controversial figure but I already have a blog post all about why I still think he’s a genius (https://athicketofmusingsblog.com/2023/02/07/10-reasons-why-ronnie-radke-is-a-genius/), despite some of his antics. And yes, I agree he’s been a little extra off the chain lately, but I suspect that may be due to a breakup with his long term girlfriend (I could be wrong of course). Regardless, it does not take away from the absolute genius of this album. Also, who else but Ronnie would take his mug shot from almost 20 years ago & make it the album cover? Yeah, probably no one. He’s a character alright. Anyway, the title track (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jakpo7tj7Qw&ab_channel=EpitaphRecords) is part of what got me into FIR a few years ago. And yes, that song actually came out 5 years ago at this point, but when the songs (& videos) are on the level that FIR puts out, it’s only fair to take your time finally putting them all together in an album. Prequel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX0lhueeib8&ab_channel=EpitaphRecords) hits super heavy with lyrics like “You’re a slave to labor & you praise the fascist/You kiss the hand that takes half in taxes/Faking outrage & being seen, a generation with no self-esteem/It’s time to rise up & stand against them/Break the chains & finally see the vision/We’re post-traumatic from a broken system/Follow me into the chaos engine/It’s time to stand, it’s time to fight/Don’t be afraid to twist the knife/Your sacrifice to break the curse/Prepare to die, prepare to burn/Abandon hope, it’s not enough/’Cause all our gods abandoned us/Your sacrifice to break the curse/Light the match, watch it burn.” Then the high notes he hits afterward? Whew! This man could be on Broadway or in opera, no doubt. Then there’s the insanity of Ronald (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWoQ7PFSYlk&ab_channel=EpitaphRecords) which features Alex Terrible of Slaughter to Prevail & Tech N9ne. I got the pleasure of seeing this one live with Tech N9ne, & let me tell you, it’s a banger. Let’s not forget the country metal breakdowns in All My Life featuring Jelly Roll (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB9jFPUb7HA&ab_channel=EpitaphRecords). Did I mention the videos for all these songs are INSANE?! Forget the movies, just watch FIR videos back to back.
  • Made From the Dirt by Kassi Ashton: Kassi came on my radar in 2023 when I fell in love with the incredibly well written Drive You Out Of My Mind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ipRfLf79WU&ab_channel=KassiAshtonVEVO). It made my 2023 list of best songs of the year, but I’ll confess I did not seek out any more of her music until this year when I heard the title track (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIc3HyiTnew&ab_channel=KassiAshtonVEVO) while driving to my hometown one day. The fact that I first heard it in the middle of nowhere made it even more special to me. With lyrics like “If you see me blazing trails instead of taking the highway/Leaning into love even when it hurts/I never fit the mold so I did it my way/I may be fighting but I didn’t swing first,” this song feels like it was written for me. After that, I knew I had to check out more by Kassi. I soon found an interview in which she was talking about her hometown (California, Missouri) & how she loves that she’s from there but she loves just as much that she learned how to leave. I’m not a touchy person but when I heard that I wanted to hug her & say “Yes, yes! You get it! Thank you for speaking for girls like me!” Soon after that I got the album & it’s been on frequent replay ever since. Yes, it’s a country album but think the jazz/blues sound of Bonnie Raitt combined with the country grit & sass of Reba McIntire. The Straw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4xrAeWGV0o&ab_channel=KassiAshtonVEVO) is my favorite on this album. The pain in Kassi’s voice is so powerful that it almost brings me to tears every time I listen- which is a lot. In fact I wrote a whole blog post about how this song was inspired by a toxic romantic relationship but for me it’s about my relationship with conservative America (https://athicketofmusingsblog.com/2024/11/08/dear-conservative-america-im-breaking-up-with-you/.). As I’ve said with other albums, I could go on & on but let me end by saying you shouldn’t miss the sass in Called Crazy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsCoOfzAKzs&ab_channel=KassiAshtonVEVO). I think most every woman can relate to the line “I’ve never been called crazy by a man who didn’t come back for more.” Ha!
  • Fission by Dead Poet Society: I have Ben Anderson, the drummer from Nothing More, to thank for introducing me to this band. I’d heard of them before but never paid attention to them until I heard Ben introduce one of their tracks on Octane just a few weeks ago. As much as I love Nothing More I figured if they had toured with this band & recommended them, they had to be worth a listen. Turns out they are worth a whole lot of listens! The song Ben recommended was Hurt (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-hrEMw4V4Q&ab_channel=DeadPoetSocietyVEVO) which has become my favorite off of this album. I assumed the song was written about drug/alcohol addiction but vocalist Jack has stated it’s actually about being a musician & how difficult it is to stay in the industry these days & actually make a living. But like any great song, it’s written in such a way that it could be applied to multiple scenarios. Interestingly this band, while being very American, had a lot of their early success in Mexico. Anyhow, other stand out tracks are the groovy opener 5:29:45 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84wcWetvCTo&ab_channel=DeadPoetSociety-Topic) & Running In Circles (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-6H8udEpiw&ab_channel=DeadPoetSocietyVEVO). However, like the Highly Suspect album, I strongly recommend listening to this one from top to bottom to truly appreciate its full essence. In fact, this band has some similarities to Highly Suspect, but is perhaps a bit more danceable (is that word?).
  • One Assassination Under God by Marilyn Manson: Yes, I realize Manson is an incredibly controversial figure & I’ll confess that I almost didn’t include this album for fear of people verbally bludgeoning me over it. Let me just say this- I do believe in innocent until proven guilty as well as in separating the art from the artist. Having said that, due to the very serious nature of the allegations against Manson, at this time I do not plan to buy his merch or see him live again. However, I will still listen to his music, since I can stream it on a service I’m already paying for. Now that that’s out of the way, I have to say this album is a fantastic piece of art. You can hear in his voice how much healthier he is these days. In fact he recently announced he’s almost four years sober, which is huge for someone who has struggled with addiction like he has for much of his adult life. In fact Manson sings about his addiction on this album, saying “A reason for me, for me to get by/Became a need, a need to get high/Then into a life that was no life at all,” in standout track As Sick As The Secrets Within (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOd8hE-xTDY&ab_channel=MarilynManson). Sacrilegious (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo-lcU0xrRQ&ab_channel=HajastaryAquimOficial) is incredibly catchy & danceable while Raise The Red Flag (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckIQOTduNbI&ab_channel=MarilynManson) captures some of Manson’s anger from his earlier years.
LEADTOOLS v20.0
  • Find the Beautiful (EP) by Plush: I have Disturbed to thank for introducing me to the powerhouse ladies of Plush. Unfortunately I didn’t get to see these two bands touring together but thanks to David Draiman’s Instagram I got to see/hear Moriah singing with David as she performed Ann Wilson’s part in Don’t Tell Me during that tour. Immediately I knew I had to hear Moriah’s own band because she has a seriously powerful voice- think Lzzy Hale or Joan Jett. I don’t know their exact ages but I’m pretty sure all the ladies in this band are under thirty, but, like The Warning, their talent & professionalism is miles ahead of what you’d expect for their age. My favorite tracks here are Hope It Hurts (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9JTA8ECJbU&ab_channel=PLUSHROCKS) & Left Behind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgLvQlqc-Xw&ab_channel=PlushRockVEVO). If the latter doesn’t get your heart racing a bit, you might need to see a doctor. Run (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywr9RBxnFGU&ab_channel=PlushRockVEVO) is also a standout track that showcases Moriah’s incredible range, but really every song here is a winner. I cannot wait to see these ladies live someday.

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Best Songs Of 2023 (Singles/Covers)


If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you know that I do an annual albums of the year post. Well, this year I decided that I need to make two posts- one for full length albums/EPs & one for singles/covers. So many bands/artists are no longer releasing albums & it feels unfair to exclude them when sometimes they make some of my favorite songs. Do I miss the days of CDs & actually going to a store to buy a physical album? Absolutely. But I also realize that we have two choices in life- evolve or die. I still refuse to use Spotify other than for podcasts because it pays artists so little for their music, but I have started downloading albums on Amazon music & only buying physical CDs for smaller bands that I know really need the monetary support, especially since I have a newer car now that doesn’t have a CD player. (Gosh, I miss having a CD player!!) I’m not sure if musicians get better returns off of Amazon Music (or YouTube, which I also use a lot) but since I do pay a monthly subscription (vs there are free options for Spotify), I’m hoping it pays them a little better. If not, at least I buy concert tickets & merch as often as I can.

Anyway, on with the show- I mean post. Please remember, I am not a professional music reviewer. I am a nurse who just happens to love music. I don’t owe anyone anything, so I feel no obligation to choose certain bands/artists, even if I know they are being universally praised this year. So, without further ado, here is my list for my favorite songs of 2023. These are in particular order, other than the first two.

  • Dark Thoughts by The Funeral Portrait: A few months ago I heard this song on Octane & was immediately entranced. I swiftly looked up the band, who are based out of Atlanta, on Instagram only to realize I’d already been following them- but hadn’t actually listened to their music. Crazy! Anyway, Lee has one of those powerful, soulful voices that you absolutely cannot forget. Think Brent Smith of Shinedown, Chris Robertson of Black Stone Cherry, Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy, or Jared Weeks of Saving Abel (incidentally all of these singers are Southerners except for Patrick- hmmm….). In fact, the band have often been said to have a Shinedown type sound but with a My Chemical Romance image/aesthetic. I think that’s a pretty accurate description. In any case, this song has an infectious chorus with insanely fun guitar riffs & is one of those that will quickly find its way into your head. Moreover, the lyrics are so dear to my heart. Lee wrote this about his struggles with OCD & boy, can I relate. The song may be called DARK thoughts but it definitely leaves me feeling pumped up & ready to fight those dark thoughts. No question about it- this is my song of the year, & I know it will be one that I’ll cherish for many, many years to come. If you don’t check out anything else on this list, I beg you to check out this one, even if rock isn’t normally your thing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8DP5vhiDTk
  • Watch the World Burn by Falling in Reverse: You never know what you’re going to get with Ronnie Radke & this song is the epitome of that. It starts off with some crazy rapping- arguably the fastest he’s ever done- but then builds into a giant breakdown with full on screaming. As always, the music video that accompanies the song is basically a miniature movie. I’ll be honest- my first listen of this song left my head spinning. I wasn’t sure what to think because the song structure is so bizarre. It literally has no chorus! But I quickly found that I couldn’t stop listening to it. My favorite lines are at the end: “One day you’re gonna figure out that/Everything they taught you was a lie/Watch the world burn/The fear is what keeps you alive/Break the fucking chains, take back your life/The fear is what keeps you insane/Break the fucking chains, take away the pain.” If that doesn’t fire you up, what will? P.S. Yes, the band can & does perform this live. I’ve seen it done twice. Bassist Tyler Burgess helps with the vocals, including the rapping, & the synergy between him & Ronnie & the rest of the band is phenomenal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMXESlny4-I
  • Artificial by Daughtry: Chilling & heavy, both lyrically & musically, Daughtry leaves no doubt about the potential dangers of Artificial Intelligence with this banger. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSmySDrz9ko
  • Drive You Out of My Mind by Kassi Ashton: Yes, I do love some country music too. And this right here is one of the most cleverly written country songs I’ve ever heard. The rhyming she uses is brilliant & her slightly husky voice is perfect for the raw emotions of the song. I confess a lot of female country singers sound whiny & almost childish to me- but not Kassi. This is a woman whose voice I could listen to all day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ipRfLf79WU/s
  • Your Place by Ashley Cooke: Since we’re on the subject of country music, let me go ahead & throw this one out for consideration. While clearly written about a break-up (“you made your bed & I ain’t sleeping in it”), I think the song can apply to anyone who’s tried to stick their nose where it doesn’t belong. Sometimes it simply “ain’t your place!” . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l21ubH2_Z70
  • Viking by Slaughter to Prevail: Now let’s switch gears entirely to what is undoubtedly the heaviest song on this list. Alex once again proves he is at least part beast with his impressive growls & screams. I can confirm that he does make these same crazy animal-like noises live. There is also a fantastic guitar riff that sounds very reminiscent of Slipknot- but without being an outright copy of course. Basically, I’m here to tell you that you do in fact need some Russian death metal in your life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fdqJhNbnSY
  • Spirits & Demons by Michael Ray (with Meghan Patrick): Ok, back to country one more time. I’d never heard of Michael (or Meghan) but I came across this song on satellite radio & fell in love. Once I realized Michael wrote it about his own divorce from fellow country singer Carly Pearce, it became even more powerful. The message of the song is that no matter what society tells you, you won’t find healing in alcohol. “Getting over you drunk is the only thing about us lasting forever, & ever, & ever/Spirits & demons won’t bring no healing/Ain’t no miracle at the bottom of the bottle I’m drinking/It’s just a buzz on a broken heart barely beating.” In a culture that often glorifies alcohol & encourages people to drink their cares away, that’s a powerful & timely message.
  • Flowers by Miley Cyrus: I have a whole blog post about this song. I’ve never followed Miley closely but this song is brilliantly written & performed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7KNmW9a75Y
  • Devil You Know by Tim Montana: Here’s another artist I discovered thanks to Octane this year. This song is the perfect blend of rock & country- so naturally I love it. The emotion in Tim’s voice is undeniable here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwEaKJrxDEY
  • Dead to Me by Palaye Royale: Anything these brothers touch is gold. I wasn’t expecting any new music from the guys this year since they released a stellar album last year AND their mother is struggling with advanced stage cancer. But out of nowhere they dropped an EP just last week which includes this catchy song that is lyrically one of the most overtly personal songs Remington has ever written. The rage in his voice goes perfectly with the almost rap-like verses & contrasts nicely with the softer chorus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t2yMEizfa4
  • Jaded by Spiritbox: This band has massively grown on me this year, especially this song. It is gorgeous, haunting, & super catchy all at once. Courtney is a goddess, end of story. I’m sure her husband (guitarist for the band) agrees. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjnZVpVvJ-k
  • Bite Your Tongue by Atilla: Atilla Frontman Chris Fronzak has never been known for keeping his mouth shut- which is largely the gist of this song. While I don’t support his career as an Only Fans star, I do admire him as an entrepreneur in general (he has several businesses outside of Atilla & Only Fans). This is a man who is not afraid to work. I recently listened to a podcast where he talked about selling golf balls & mowing lawns in his neighborhood before he was even a teenager! I may not agree with every facet of his life, but I do respect him, & there’s no doubt that this is a fun song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAwlewK-Xbo
  • Lost by Bring Me the Horizon: Infectious, upbeat, & beyond catchy, this is a song that is lyrically very dark & yet still somehow manages to be uplifting. I think we’ve all felt lost at some point or other & can relate to the angst here.
  • Dance Song by Austin John Winkler: Damn, it’s good to hear Austin’s voice again (the original singer for Hinder)! Having finally recovered from years of alcoholism that almost killed him (literally), he’s back & better than ever. This is a funky, groovy piece that will leave you wanting to dance & just have fun. I also love the honesty of the lyrics: “I’m not shy about the mess I’m in because we’re kind of all doing the same dance.” So true! In the age of perfectly curated social media accounts, it’s important to be reminded that none of us really has our shit together. We’re all just bumbling our way through this crazy world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwTJJ8XRr6M

Now for the covers:

  • Every Time We Touch by Electric Callboy: I’m convinced these Germans can’t possibly make a bad song so it’s no surprise that this cover is brilliant. As usual for this band, the video is hilarious. If you need to smile, check out the bromance between Kevin & Nico to get a laugh. (In case you watch the video & wonder, no they are not actually a couple. Both are heterosexual, married to women, & fathers. But they do have a great bromance.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuBXeF5acqE
  • What’s Love Got to Do by Black Stone Cherry: This was released as an homage to the great Tina Turner after her death earlier this year. Covering a song this massive isn’t easy but BSC proved they were up to the task (no surprise with their talent). Chris’s soulful voice is perfect for this! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTi5XSaRLag
  • Lips of an Angel, Part 2 by Shaylen & Austin John Winkler: I’m not sure if this counts as a true cover but I don’t know where else to put it, so I’m putting it here. If you loved the original, like I did, you have to hear this. Austin’s sexy, husky voice is as brilliant as ever & combining it with country singer Shaylen makes for a powerful combination. I also hadn’t realized this but Austin wrote the original song in just one night based on his own real-life experience. He was only 23 at the time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU1qcb5steI
  • Closer by Palaye Royale: The original is plenty sexy but Remington’s raspy voice makes it even sexier. I don’t think I need say anything else. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOjl_L2aXsQ
  • Separate Ways by Daughtry & Lzzy Hale: This is my favorite Journey song, an absolute classic. Daughtry & Lzzy Hale together are a phenomenal combination, so naturally this is a stellar cover. Of note, it was released exactly 40 years to the day of the original song.
  • Last Resort: Reimagined by Falling in Reverse: The stakes were definitely high covering a song as massive as this. Naturally Ronnie nailed it. If he’d done a standard cover that sounded roughly similar to the original- well, that just wouldn’t work. You can’t beat Papa Roach at their own game. So what did Ronnie do? He turned it into a slowed down piano ballad (a la his own reimagined songs) that serves to really highlight the gut-wrenching lyrics of this classic piece. It got the seal of approval by Jacoby Shaddix himself- that, my friends, is how you know you’ve made it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESOjt2_yJrU

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10 Reasons Why Ronnie Radke is a Genius


**EDIT (11/10/25): Over the past year or so this post has gained FAR more traffic than it ever did when I initially published it back in early 2023. Part of me is tempted to remove this post altogether as my feelings about Ronnie have become increasingly conflicted. However, I stand by what I said here AT THE TIME I SAID IT. Having said that, at this point I would feel remiss if I did not edit this to say that I’ve become increasingly disappointed by Ronnie’s behavior over the past year or so. This deterioration of behavior roughly translates to when he & Saraya broke up last Fall (2024). Whether that was truly the catalyst or not of course I’ll never know, but it’s obvious that his behavior- particularly online- has deteriorated ever since then. Am I going to stop listening to his music because of it? No, I’m not- I believe in the separation of art & artist. And I also think, based on the reports of other musicians I respect who continue to tour with or maintain friendships with him, that a lot of what Ronnie posts online is purely a publicity stunt- to get his name in the press, to get people stirred up & talking about him. In some ways it’s a brilliant strategy but at 41 years old, some of his antics are now feeling quite tiresome. I miss the Ronnie from his interviews with Ryan J Downey back during the pandemic when he was talking about taking a step back from social media. Again, I still love Ronnie’s music & probably always will. There are many admirable things about him & his life, but, especially in light of this post gaining significantly more traffic, I do feel it necessary to say that I do not approve of all of his online antics these days.**

It’s only in the past year or so that I’ve fallen in love with the musical genius of Ronnie Radke. I have to thank a friend, who actually doesn’t much care for Ronnie, for introducing me to him when he referenced one of Ronnie’s oldest songs with the timeless line “Why do good girls like bad guys?” When he said that, I realized I didn’t actually know that song- though I certainly recognized the sentiment- nor who Ronnie really was. Cue quick Wikipedia read-through, & I swiftly filed Ronnie away under the category of rock stars who are very much not my type (musically or personally). Why was I so quick to reject him? Well, his Wikipedia page discusses his imprisonment, drug use, accusations of domestic violence (never proven), & a myriad of other less than flattering situations, so can you really blame me for saying “No thanks, not someone I’m interested in learning more about or whose music I care to know”?

In any case, over the next few weeks for some reason I kept running into Ronnie’s name & decided to check out some of his music as well as some of his interviews. I soon came to realize that I had judged him far too quickly- & far too harshly. I still remember the first time I listened to The Drug in Me is Reimagined & asking myself “How is this the same guy I read about on Wikipedia & dismissed so quickly?” The gorgeous piano ballad that builds up into a serious rock opera is absolutely brilliant, & suddenly I knew I couldn’t ignore Ronnie anymore. Someone who could take one of his old pop-punk type songs & transform it- with the exact same lyrics- into a rock opera just HAD to be someone worth knowing more about. Then I came the interviews Ronnie has done with Ryan J Downey over the years, & those REALLY changed my mind about him. These are not your typical rock star interviews- they’re more akin to therapy sessions than traditional interviews. Some date back as far as 2013- not long before his daughter was born- & others are as recent as 2021. You can find them all on YouTube, & I strongly encourage you to check them out if you want to have a better understanding of who Ronnie is. Or if you just want to hear the story of someone who has overcome some pretty insane obstacles in his life- some of which I will discuss below.

So, on that note, here are 10 reasons why I- a proverbial good girl- like Ronnie Radke- a proverbial bad guy- though I like to think these reasons are far less superficial than one usually assumes when someone uses that phrase.

  1. He can make almost any kind of music. I think the only thing I haven’t heard Ronnie do is a straight-up country song (though the closing song on Fashionably Late definitely has some country vibes). From the insanely fast rapping on his brand new song Watch the World Burn (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMXESlny4-I) to the piano ballad/rock opera of the aforementioned The Drug in Me is Reimagined (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2cbhYihBWY) & I’m Not a Vampire Revamped (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nWmBJxW9q0), the man is a true musical genius. You want pop punk? Check out Fashionably Late (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPoaKxm4wDg). You want more traditional rock/metal? Check out Zombified (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDDz1Er2IXA). You want rap + metal breakdowns with operatic vocals sprinkled in? Check out the aforementioned new song Watch the World Burn or Voices in My Head (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7_e_NY-f3g). I could go on & on, but if it weren’t for his distinctive voice, it would at times be hard to believe that the same man is writing & performing all these songs- but he is. How many other bands can lay claim to a singer with such versatile abilities? Not many. That’s not a diss on anyone else. But whatever you say about Ronnie, you cannot objectively say he isn’t talented.
  2. He has overcome an incredibly painful childhood. As is referenced often in his lyrics, Ronnie’s mother left him, his brother, & their dad when Ronnie was just a toddler, largely because of her drug addiction. He has had essentially no relationship with her from there on out. Obviously, this led to some major issues in his life- & probably still does. But he’s the first to admit that. In Just Like You he sings “You don’t wanna be too close to me ’cause you might see my broken heart… I’m just a boy who’s angry at his mom.” In interviews & in his recently released autobiography (cowritten by Ryan J Downey, the interviewer I mentioned earlier), Ronnie has talked about how it took him a long time to learn how to have healthy relationships with women because of his relationship- or lack thereof- with his mother. It’s this kind of insight & willingness to examine his own past that has led to the more mature version of Ronnie we see today. Which leads me right into the next point.
  3. Despite a litany of toxic relationships– which no doubt inspired Bad Girls Club (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzLZN1K-PUE– side note: Ronnie now calls this song “cringey” but I must confess I have a soft spot for it- it’s a brilliant way to show that women can be toxic too)- Ronnie has now managed to establish & maintain what by all reports is a very healthy long term relationship. Since at least 2019 he has been in a serious relationship with Saraya Bevis- aka Paige of WWE. I gained a whole new respect for Ronnie when I watched an interview Saraya did in which she discussed their relationship & how he helped her achieve sobriety, took care of her after her neck surgery, & generally encouraged her to be the healthiest version of herself (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-wQ7hwGZ_M). Perhaps most impressive was the fact that after years of being good friends, she finally confessed to Ronnie her true feelings for him, but because of a recent breakup she had experienced, Ronnie encouraged her to wait a while before beginning a relationship with him because he didn’t want to hurt her, nor did he want to risk their relationship not working out because he wanted it as much as she did. Especially considering how absolutely gorgeous Saraya is, the fact that Ronnie had that kind of foresight & self control is impressive. And it paid off! Because after she took some time to heal, as he had suggested, they did end up together & have been together ever since. Maybe some people preferred the wilder, womanizing Ronnie, but I much prefer this version.
  4. As I’ve already referenced, Ronnie is not afraid to admit his past mistakes. Whether it’s confessing that he now finds songs like Bad Girls Club & Alone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcbOfVKSMkA) “cringey,” calling himself an idiot for throwing a mic stand into a crowd, expressing extreme regret over the fight that eventually led to his imprisonment (see below), or admitting embarrassment about his past Tweets, this is a guy who is not afraid to say he’s made some major mistakes. Considering some of the things he’s done, I couldn’t admire him the way I do if he weren’t capable of such honesty.
  5. He overcame imprisonment. Yes, Ronnie went to prison. No, he isn’t a murderer as the internet loves to claim. He was involved in a fight in the desert outside Vegas in which someone else fired a weapon that killed another man. Because Ronnie was involved in setting up the fight & because he had brass knuckles in his pocket (that incidentally were never used), he was arrested for various charges. But what actually sent him to prison for 2.5 years was violating his probation related to the previous charges. This happened largely because of his drug use & the fact that he was touring with his band & inevitably missed parole check-ins. As you might expect, while he was in prison, Ronnie’s original band Escape the Fate fired him. I can’t say I truly blame them in light of the circumstances- after all Ronnie was an addict when he went to prison, so he was a mess all around. In any case, Ronnie used his time in prison to form a new band (Falling in Reverse) & write what would become their debut album The Drug in Me is You. Obviously that was no small feat & most people in his situation would have just given up on their dreams. Not Ronnie. He just used it as fuel to light the fire under his own feet. Oh yeah, have I mentioned that Falling in Reverse ended up being a way bigger band than Escape the Fate? Yep.
  6. Speaking of drugs, Ronnie has overcome opiate addiction. He used, or at least tried, other drugs too, but opiates, including heroin, were his drug of choice. Experiencing opiate withdrawal in prison was no picnic but Ronnie did it, & furthermore while in prison he realized that drugs weren’t making him more creative or fueling his artistic dreams. In fact, they were only having a deleterious effect on his life & career. Despite the many temptations I’m sure he has faced since his release, he has remained sober ever since. In fact, he cut out alcohol entirely a few years ago too, even though he had never had the same struggles with that as with opiates. But again, he realized it was an unhealthy distraction from greater things. I suppose some people like their rock stars to have crazy tales of drunkenness & debauchery- but not me. I prefer mine smart & sober. They make better music that way, & they’re a lot less likely to suffer an early death.
  7. He says whatever he wants & doesn’t bow to political correctness. Just check out the lyrics to Zombified if you want Ronnie’s feelings on cancel culture. He is someone who even the rock world has tried to cancel at times. After all, with his past he is very easy to vilify. It’s sad to see how even after being sober for years, the media has often continued to refer to him as a drug user- as if that’s all he’s ever been or ever will be! Are there times when I don’t agree with everything Ronnie says or does? Of course. But I don’t even agree with my own HUSBAND all the time. I can’t expect rock stars to always think the same as I do! That would be boring. I’ll give you a very timely example. On the recent Shiprocked cruise, Ronnie called out Atilla frontman Chris Fronzak. I’m not going to go into detail, but I found most of the “beef” between these two to be quite childish & silly. Having said that, I also don’t put it past Ronnie (or Chris) to have ignited this “beef” just to get their names in the headlines right before the release of the band’s newest song. I mean, it’s free publicity. I might not necessarily approve of the tactic- but I can’t deny the genius there because it certainly worked!
  8. Despite the original tension between the bands- very understandable of course- Ronnie has actually made up with his former band Escape the Fate. They have actually toured together many times. In fact, they’re on tour together right now. I’m seeing them both this weekend, & I can’t wait! (That is, if I can get over this miserable strep throat that has made me far, far sicker than I was with Covid last year. Sighhhh…)
  9. Ronnie is proof that we CAN escape our fate (yes, that’s a reference to his original band’s name). Here’s a man from a broken family- whose MOTHER abandoned him- who ended up addicted to opiates & in prison by the age of 25. And yet, here he is- at almost 40- more successful than he’s ever been! He’s co-headlining a tour with Papa Roach for the second time in the past few months & they’re selling out arenas left & right. His last 3 singles have all hit #1 on rock radio, despite being very much outside of the typical rock radio format. His latest music video hit 1 million views in 24 hrs (maybe less). He’s published his autobiography. He has stayed sober for over a decade, & despite the fact that their relationship ended poorly, he has maintained a healthy, working relationship with his daughter’s mother & has always been a part of his daughter’s life, regardless of any issues between him & her mother. Whether you like Ronnie or his music or not, you can’t deny that he has truly turned his life around. There are so many points in his life when Ronnie could have just given up & consigned himself to his natural “fate,” but he never has. And THAT is inspiring!
  10. As a natural follow up to the last point, Ronnie is proof that people CAN change, that we can in fact evolve into better versions of ourselves, regardless of our past or the obstacles we face. I think it’s fair to say that the Ronnie of the past decade or so is not the same Ronnie the world knew in his Escape the Fate days, or even his early Falling in Reverse days. (I wouldn’t even like him if he hadn’t evolved.) He has changed so much about himself- everything from his hair/fashion to his on-stage persona to his musical style. Watching his old videos, it’s hard to believe that the Ronnie of the 2020s is the same man as the 2006 Ronnie with Nikki Sixx style hair & eyeliner. It wasn’t a bad look, especially at the time, but I much prefer the more natural look he’s going with these days. The long black hair- that isn’t teased up like the 80s- the much plainer clothes, & the blacked out tattoos all serve to showcase his Native American features that make him naturally gorgeous (e.g. the shape of his eyes, his high cheekbones, his elegant skin tone- he is part Blackfoot Native American). Ronnie will be the first to admit that his older appearance & even some of his older songs make him cringe. But hey, who among us doesn’t have parts of our past that make us cringe? On a more serious note, while Ronnie has incorporated various music styles for most of his career, it’s in the past decade that he has really perfected the ability to blend everything from rap to metal to rock opera. He is equal parts Eminem, Corey Taylor, & Freddie Mercury. I realize some people find that disconcerting or confusing, but I find it inspiring. Most importantly, Ronnie has learned how to apologize for his past mistakes, how to analyze his own behavior, & how to better control his temper. No doubt all of these things have contributed to the greater & greater success he is now seeing. He still makes mistakes, as we all do. But at the end of the day, he is continually learning, growing, & trying to be better. Combine his messy past with his current success, & it’s safe to say that Ronnie is one of the most relatable rock stars of the day. It’s so easy at times to condemn him, but when you really think about it, most of the time he’s likely no worse than the average person- he just gets a lot more media attention for his mistakes than most of us do! After all, as his own song says, “I am aware that I am an asshole/I really don’t care about all of that though/I’m living my life the way that I want to/And you can’t deny/That honestly I’m just like you.”
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